February 1, 2018 7.05 am This story is over 73 months old

Councillors reject plans for £3.7m swimming pool and gym at Sleaford academy

Plans included a six lane, 25 metre competition swimming pool.
Plans for the new £3.7 million fitness suite at St George's Academy, Sleaford have been rejected

Councillors have rejected plans for a £3.7 million swimming pool and fitness suite to be built at a school in Sleaford.

St George’s Academy announced plans to develop facilities at the Sleaford Campus in July 2016, however these were rejected at a committee meeting at North Kesteven District Council on Tuesday, January 30.

At the meeting, nine councillors voted against plans, while six voted for and two abstained.

Plans included a six lane, 25 metre competition swimming pool with accompanying fitness suite.

The £3.7 million project funded from the academy’s capital reserves, would have provided fitness facilities for staff, students and the local community.

The council said that the applicant failed to demonstrate sufficient need for such additional facilities in Sleaford and the south of the district.

The proposal was also said to threaten the viability of other public facilities, and the Central Lincolnshire Local Plan does not identify any capacity for additional leisure and recreation facilities.

A spokesperson for North Kesteven District Council said: “There are no objections to the principle of a school swimming pool at St George’s Academy for the benefit of pupils.

“But the decision by Eastgate Planning Committee to refuse the application was based entirely on clear planning principles.”